fix a tilt steering column

Have you tried turning the key when you are moving the steering wheel back and forth?

You can try to insert key fully then pull back slightly and turn ,if that doesnt work , i think you can pull the wheel and then change the switch whithout any further disassembly of column , I believe a single screw holds the switch in , you should be able to see once the wheel is removed.

I just rebuilt my column using this video from you tube.
Here is a pic of were the screw is to remove tumbler

oldolds said:

the key pinion won't turn. it is not the lock cylinder or the ign switch. how difficult is it to fix. i am sure someone else had this problem and a fix short of replacing the column.

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Need more info...

Is the tilt head loose?
When/how did this occur?
Have you removed both the lock cylinder and switch at the same time to ensure the rod will not move at all?

It is possible, depending on the circumstances, that the pinion has come out of mesh with the rack, which will require removal of the upper bowl to reassemble

If it's got a LOT of miles or key cycles, it is possible that the pinion will rotate off of the rack when operating the key cylinder. Fought this on daughter's Jeep (Saginaw column, almost identical the the GM version) and finally discovered that the channel the rack rode in had worn and was allowing the rack to deflect away from the pinion, resulting in the pinion skipping a tooth. In that case, we couldn't get it to rotate far enough to engage the "start" function of the ign switch. Only took about 3 teardown/reassemblies to figure that one out...at least it was at home the last 2 times. If it was really bad, I could see it skipping a couple teeth and rolling to the point where it would no longer mesh at all.

This one adds some details that might be helpful to your particular problem.

79 and up are retained by the single screw. 78 requires the key to remove the lock cylinder.

The lock cylinder actuates the rod via a cam driven rack. I believe you said you can't pull the rod either.

The column is easy to tear down, lots of info on the website. Some more useful than others obviously so expose yourself to a lot of info before starting. I don't see any reason you should have to go past the upper bowl. That means you should only need a steering wheel puller, the lock plate tool, and a small pick or screw driver for the lock plate snap ring. The turn signal cam is held in by Phillips screwdriver usually, but late model stuff may be torx. Before you pull the turn signal cam out unplug it and detach it from the column, that should give you enough slack to pull it out of the way. Then pull your lockscrew on the cylinder or depress the little tab if you have a 78. Out comes the cylinder and you can find your problem. See if the drive dog is free to turn now. You can reach in with a small pair of pliers and twist.

78 requires you to turn the key to the accessory position to release the cylinder. Once torn down you should be able to circumvent that though

With all this info posted I should be able to/get some motivation to dig out the spare tilt coulumn that needs tighten up. It's almost as loose as a soroity sister in a frat house.

Haha.

Columns can be intimidating but they are not too bad. I built a custom one for my car when I went to the 5 spd. It's a cruise, tilt column with the correct key release. Looks like GM put it in the car other than the fresh paint on it.